In some of his nonfiction works, such as Wishful Thinking: A Theological ABC (1973) and Peculiar Treasures: A Biblical Who's Who (1979), Buechner fulfills the role of the teacher of religion as a lexicographer of the truth revealed in the Bible. The first book concentrates on the great words of the Bible, addressing itself to the three categories of doctrine, worship, and discipline. Such traditional words as Trinity (doctrine), sacrament (worship), and pride (discipline) are described in an attempt to make the orthodox beliefs and practices of Christianity intelligible not only to the laymen but to those outside the church. Peculiar Treasures is an effort to link the proclaimer of Christian truth with the truth he has uttered. Of 147 figures, eight come from the pages of scripture. For example, the entry for Abraham may be found under the heading of faith. Frederick Buechner, it is interesting to note...